Automatic selecting apparatus and system.



No. 763,972. PATENTED JULY 5, 1904. J. T. FISK. AUTOMATIC SELECTING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 8, 1902.

7 BHEETFBHEBT 1.

K0 MODEL.

PATENTED JULY 5, 1904.

J. T. FISK.

AUTOMATIC SELECTING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM.

APPLIGATION FILED JAN. 8.1902.

7 SHEETSSHEET 2- N0 MODEL.

Mew w A? PATENTED JULY 5, 1904.

J. T. FISK.

AUTOMATIC SELECTING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM,

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 8, 1902.

N0 MODEL. 7 SHEETS-SHEET a No. 763,972- I PATENTED JULY 5, 1904.

' J. T. PISK. AUTOMATIC SELECTING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM:

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 8, 1902.

N0 MODEL. 7 SHEETS-SHEET 4 PATENTED JULY 5, 1904.

J. T. PISK. AUTOMATIC SELECTING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 8, 1902'.

7 SHEETS-411E111 6.

N0 MODEL.

No. 763,972. PATENTED JULY 5, 1904. J. T. PISK. AUTOMATIC SELECTING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 8, 1902.

N0 MODEL. 7 SHEETS-SHBBT s.

(17102117511 I I xm J a WVZQM his iflmwze 5'.

i No. 763,972. PATENTED JULY 5, 1904.

J. T. FISK.

AUTOMATIC SELECTING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 8, 1902.

NO MODEL. 7 '7 SHEETS-SHEET I ll u v |l A A AA miile dea i java/Z2?! "A UNITED STATES Patented July 5, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOSHUA T. FISK, OF ADRIAN, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE I. FISHER, JR, TRUSTEE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC SELECTING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 763,972, dated July 5, 1904.

Application filed 'inurrry 8, 1902. Serial No 88,850. (No model.)

To (LZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSHUA T. FIsK, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Adrian, county of Lenawee, Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Au-- tomatic Selecting Apparatus and Systems, of which the following is declared to be a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to selecting apparatus for use in connection with telephonic, telegraphic, or signaling systems and to the adaptation of such an apparatus to a number of telephone-stations on the same line by which any one station may be signaled from a central office or from any other station.

The objects of my invention are, first, to provide an improved form of step-by-step selecting device and an operating impulse-transmitter therefor which will be simple in construction, effective in operation, and which may be returned to zero position without necessitating resort to changes in strength or polarity of the current on the selector-operating circuit; second, to provide means whereby the forward and return movements of the selecting device may be effected by the operation of a single magnet; third, to adapt such an apparatus for use in connection with different telephone-stations in the same line by which any one may be signaled from a central office or from any other station and by which the stations not called or signaled may be locked out by the operation of the selecting devices; fourth, to adapt the improved selecting devices to such a telephone-circuit in such a manner that the telephone and selector-operating circuits may be of any suitable arrangement, may be independent of each other, if desired, and operated by either central or local energy; fifth, to provide means whereby the return of the selecting devices to Zero or home position will be effected by the operation of the automatic telephone-switches, and to provide other automatic means whereby the apparatus and the system may be rendered convenient and certain in operation, the conversation between connected stations secret and free from liability to be disturbed by calls from other stations on the line.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view in vertical elevation of my improved selecting and transmitting apparatus as adapted for use at a telephone-station, the inclosing casing being shown in cross-section. Fig. 2 is a view in vertical section of the same with the casing removed and with certain parts broken away. Fig. 3 is a view in horizontal section of my improved impulse transmitter or circuitbreaker, taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail view, in vertical section, taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 5 is a detail plan view of the selecting apparatus and parts controlled thereby. Fig. 6 is a detail View, in vertical elevation, of the selector-wheel and lock for the automatic telephone-switch. Fig. 7 is a detail view, in vertical section, of the circuitcloser for the signaling-circuit. Fig. 8 is a view in vertical section of the governor-controlled releasing mechanism for the selecting device. Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the selective device and the operating means therefor. Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic View of a number of telephone-stations, illustrating an arrangement of my improved selecting apparatus and system. Figs. 11 and 12 are diagrammatic views of other arrangements for the selector-operating circuit.

15m)ulee-tramsvmitter 0r circuit-trader for the selector-operating cz'r0uit.The transmitter is mounted upon a suitable base-board 10 and within asuitable inclosing casing 11. The frame of the transmitter comprises the circular plates 12 and 13, spaced apart and secured to one another by the shouldered pins or rods 14, and is supported in position on the base-board 10 by the offsets or legs 15 of the plate 13.

The circuit-breaker for the transmitter comprises a notched disk a, loosely mounted upon a shaft 16 and arranged to engage a vibrating arm I), pivotally mounted on an offset of the plate 13. The free end of the arm 7) is provided with a stud Z) of vulcanized fiber or other suitable insulating material,-arranged to engage one of a pair of spring-contacts c and d, located in the selector-operating cir- The spring-contacts c and (Z are mountcuit.

ed upon a block 17 of insulating i'naterial, which is held in position by a piece 18, secured to the plate 12 of the transmitter-frame by the shouldered offset pins 19. A bent spring-stop a is secured to one of the rods 14 and is arranged to engagewith the notches of the disk a. This dish is driven in one direction by the operating-shaft 16 through a oneway connection comprising a ratchet-wheel 20, fixed to the shaft, and a spring-pressed pawl 21, fixed to the disk.

The operating-shaft 16 is provided with. shouldered journals at either end engaging suitable bearings formed in the frame-plates 12 and 13. The forward end of the shaft extends through an opening in the casing 11 and is provided. at its outer end with an operating-handle 22. The handle 22 is arranged to play over the face of a dial 2?), held in position to close the opening in casing 11 by means of shouldered offset pins 24, secured to the frame-plate 12. A coiled volute spring 25 is secured at one end to the operatingshaft 16 and at the other end to one of the fixed pins 24, which after being wound up by the forward movement of the handle 22 serves as powcr-propelling means for the shaft 16 during its return movement. The forward movement of the shaft 16 is variably limited by a stop-pin 26, arranged to engage the handle 22. A circular series of holes 27 are located in the disk 23 and are spaced at equal distances apart to correspond with a given number of notches of the disk (1/. In the present construction each space between any two adjacent holes corresponds to three of the notches of the disk, so that by placing stop-pin 26 in any one of the holes 27 and by moving the operating-handle to engage the pin the circuit-breaker will be operated during the return movement of the shaft 16 to transmit three impulses or any multiple of three, as desired. opposite the holes with indicating numbers or names, as shown, corresponding to the various signals or stations to be selected.

Means are provided for arresting the return movement of the operating-shaft and the circuit-breaker at different predetermined. points--namely, both just before it reaches and at the normal position of the operatingshaft, so that the succession of impulses transmitted may be followed by an additional impulse. For this purpose a bent stop-arm 28 of the peculiar formation indicated in the drawings is fixed to the shaft 16, and an end projection thereon normally engages a home or stop pin 29, being held in such position by the tension of the operating-spring 25. This pin 29 is mounted on an arm 30, pivoted to the frame-plate 12 and adjustably fixed in position by a threaded pin engaging a slot in said arm, as clearly indicated in Fig. 4. A combined movable stop and locking pin 31 for engaging the arm 28 is mounted upon the free The disk is provided.

end of a bell-crank 32, which is pivoted to an arbor 33, extending between the frame-plates 12 and 13. A coiled spring 34 extends between one of the pins 14 and an arm 35, fixed to the shaft or arbor 33, which spring tends to move the arm 32 and pin 31 into the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2. In this position the pin 31 will engage a later- ELllX-DI'OjBCblHQ lug 36 upon the arm 28 to arrest the return movement of the shaft and arm in advance of the normal or home position, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2. Means such as hereinafter described are, however, provided for normally holding the arm 32 in the position indicated by full lines with the pin 31 in engagement with the hooked end of the arm 28, by which the operatingshaft 16 is locked with arm 28 in its normal position against the home or stop pin In this position also the pin 31 will serve to arrest the further return movement of the arm 28 in normal position, and with the precise construction indicated there is no absolute necessity for employing the home or stop pin 29. I, however, prefer to employ such a home stop in order to relieve the arm 32 and operating parts from the strain of the operating-spring 25.

in order that the succession of impulses may be transmitted uniformly and distinctly, governing or retarding means are provided for controlling the return movement of the operating-shaft. Such means have previously been connected either directly to the shaft or directly to the circuit-breaker. 1, however, prefer to independently operate the retarding device through a one-way connection comprising a ratchet-wheel 37, fixed to the shaft 16 and engaging a pawl 38, fixed. to a gear 39, loosely mounted on the shaft adjacent the fixed ratchet-wheel. The gear 39 is arranged to operate through the medium of a suitable train of gears 40, 41, and 42, a fan-governor 43, or other suitable retarding device. The fan-governor and gear-train are mounted upon arbors or shafts suitably journaled in the frame-plates 12 and 13. By thus independently operating the retarding device the movement of the shaft 16 and circuit-breaking disk a may be arrested, while the governor is free to move on until arrested by friction, thus relieving the parts from unnecessary wear and strain.

Selecting cZe uica Upon the base-board 10 is mounted a suitable support 44 for the selecting instrument and the operating mechanism therefor. A step-by-step selecting device, preferably in the form of a wheelf, pro vided with ratchet-teeth, is suitably journaled within bearings upon the support 44. A pin 45, upon the face of the wheel f, is arranged to engage a home stop 46 upon an upright 47, secured to the support 44. A coiled spring 48 is secured at one end to apin in the support 44 and at the other end to a flexible .TOO

connection 49, wound about and secured to the shaft of the step-by-step wheel f. By this means the selective device is normally held in home position with the pin 45 in engagement with the stop e6. An operatingelectromagnet is mounted adjacent the stepby-step wheel 7" and is provided with a springpressed balanced armature 50, pivoted to bearings on the support 4A. A laterally-projecting bent arm 51 is secured to the armature and is provided at its outer end with a pivoted spring-pressed feed-pawl 52. The upper end of the upright 4:7 is provided with a laterally-projecting stop 53, which serves to limit the forward movement of the feed-pawl, and an oppositely-arranged stop-pin 54 is adjustably threaded on the upper end of the upright at? and serves to engage a tailpiece on the pawl 52 to throw the latter out of engagement with the teeth of wheel 7" upon the rearward movement of the armature 50. A spring-pressed retaining-pawl 55, pivoted to bearings on the support 43, is arranged to engage the teeth of the stepbystep ratchet f. By this means the step-by-step selector f may be variably moved against the tension of the spring l8 in accordance with the number of vibrations of the armature 50.

Governorcontrolled means are provided whereby the retaining-pawl may be thrown out of engagement to permit the return of the selector to its home or zero position. This means consists of a compound hit-andmiss governor controlled by the vibrations of the armature of magnet g and comprises a freely-vibrating balanced arm 56, pivotally mounted upon the upper end of a swinging upright 57 and a freely-vibrating knocker 58,

pivotally mounted upon an upright 59, intermediate the armature 50 and the vibrating arm 56, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The free inner end of the arm 56 is hooked, as at 59, for normally engaging the upper end of the vibrating armature 50. The swinging upright 57 is pressed by a spring 62, (see Fig. 5,) coiled about its pivot 62 toward the position shown by dotted lines in the diagrammatic Fig. 9 against a stop 60, adjustably threaded through the upper end of an upright 61, and its pivot-pin 62 is provided near one end with a projecting lug 63, arranged to engage a corresponding lug or tailpiece 6d of the retaining-pawl 55. The upright 59 is adjustably secured to the support 44:, so that it may be moved nearer to or farther away from the armature 50 of the magnet 1. When the armature 50 is vibrated by successive electrical impulses passing through the magnet 1 it strikes successively against the knocker 5S and the latter strikes against the freely-vibrating arm 56 and serves to hold it in elevated position disengaged from the armature 50 until the successive electrical impulses cease. The arm 56 then falls with its hooked end 59 into engagement with the armature 50, and a single additional movement of the armature will serve to release the retaining-pawl in the manner hereinafter described. An upright is provided with a hooked upper end arranged adjacent the free end of the vibrating arm 56. (See Fig. 8.) This upper hooked end is positioned just above the end of the arm 56 when the latter is drawn toward the magnet g by the armature 50; but when the armature 5O permits the arm 57 together with the lever 56, tobe drawn away from the magnet g by the spring 62 the hooked end of upright 65 is no longer above the freely-vibrating arm 56. By this arrange ment the hooked end of upright 65 prevents the disengagement of the arm 56 from armature 50 during a single movement of the lat ter, but will not interfere with such disengagement during successive vibrations of the armature.

Lookout mec/trm zlwn (0nd signaling devices In the application of my improved selecting apparatus to telephone-stations located upon the same line one of the improved selecting devices will be located at each of the stations and all preferably arranged in a common operating-circuit. A single impulse-transmitter or circuit-breaker may, if desired, be located at a central oflice, so that any of the stations on the line maybe signaled therefrom; but my improved form of transmitting apparatus is particularly designed to be employed at each of the stations, so that any one of the subscribers may call any of the other subscribers. In the latter case, as indicated in the drawings, both the selecting device and the impulse-transmitter or circuit-breaker will be located within the same inclosingcasing 11 upon the upper end of the base-board 10, which also forms the support for the telephone set. A receiver-supporting automatic switch or hook 7b of ordinary construction is pivoted to an upright 66 on the support 4A of the selecting instrument, is provided with an operating-spring 67, and projects in the usual manner outside of such casing, as indicated in Fig. 1. The hook or switch h carries a lateral ly-projecting stud 68,

of insulating material, which is arranged to engage and operate the set of spring-contacts and 7:: Z of the telephone-circuits. These contacts and circuits may be of any desired arrangement; but preferably the contact if; is arranged to engage a spring-contact m, by which the signal-operating circuit is closed at this point, but will be opened as soon as the receiver is removed from its hook in the wellknown manner. These contacts are preferably mounted upon a block 69, of insulating material, upon the support L4, as shown in Fig. 2.

A connecting-rod 70 is pivoted at one end to the upper arm of the bell-crank 32 and passes upwardly through an opening in the support 4A and loosely through a laterallyprojecting ear 71 upon the tailpiece of the automatic switch 71 The upper end of the rod 70 is threaded and provided with lock-nuts 7 2, adjustable thereon and engaging the ear 71, thus forming a loose one-way connection between the bell-crank 32 and the automatic switch or telephone-hook 7L. By this means the combined lock and stop pin 31 on bellcrank 32 is controlled by the movement of the automatic switch and normally held in the position indicated by full lines in Fig. 2 when the receiver is placed upon its support. By adjusting lock-nuts 7 2' the throw of the lock and stop-pin 31, effected by the movement of switch it, may be adjusted.

An upright 7 O is fixed to the support 44, and to the bent upper end portion thereof is pivoted intermediate its ends an arm 01, the lower half of which is heavier than the upper half, so that it normally tends to swing into an upright position against a stop-pin 71 on the u )right 70. When so located, the bent upper end of the arm 12. is in position to engage a laterally-projecting pin 72 upon the tailpiece of the automatic switch 7t, (see Fig. 6,) and the arm it thus serves as a lock to prevent the movement of the switch to operate the contacts v1 7' and Z: Z of the telephone-circuits. The locking-arm w is, however, normall y held out of operation by a trip-pin 0 on the selecting-wheel 7", which when the selecting-wheel is in home position engages a V- shaped cam portion 73 on the lower end of the arm and holds the latter in the position shown .in Fig. 1, so that the switch may operate to close the telephone-circuits. The selecting-wheel f is provided with a second trip pin p, which is arranged to engage with the \l-shaped portion 7 30f thearm and to hold the lock out of operation in a similar manner after the selective wheel has been moved through apredetermined distance. The pin is placed at a different position on the selecting-wheels at each of the stations, so that when the selectors are operated in response to a succession of impulses from any one of the circuitbreakers the arm n will be in position to lock the telephone-switches /1/ in all of the stations except the one corresponding to the number of impulses which have been transmitted over the operating-circuit, at which station the selecting-wheel will have moved to bring its trip-pin 2 into position to hold. the locking-arm p. out of operation. The arm 72 also serves as a switch for the signal-operating circuit and for this purpose is provided. with a laterallyprojecting pin 74, which is arranged to engage a spring-strip r, fixed to a block 75 of insulating material on the support 44. The pin 74 engages with the springcontact 7 whenever the arm a is held in the position shown in Fig. 1 when either the trippin 0 or the trip-pin engages the \I-shaped cam portion 73 of the arm; but in the upright position of the arm (shown in Fig. 6)

the contact between the pin 74 and spring 9* is broken. The cam-shaped portion 73 is so shaped that the arm n. will be held with its upper end out of the path of the pin 72 and its pin 74 in engagement with the spring contact r when either of the trips 0 or p is in any one of a limited number of positions adjacent the cam portion, so that the telephone-switch at the called station will be unlocked and the circuit closed through the signal thereat with certainty even though the feed-pawl may skip one or two steps. In the present construction the trips 0 and p will effect the operation of the arm a when they occupy any one of three positions adjacent the cam portion 73. The apparatus illustratedin the drawings is designed for use at station 5,

and the arm a thereat will be operated when ever fifteen impulses are transmitted over the selector-operating circuit even if the operating device for the selecting-Wheel should skip one or two steps. This arrangement will not interfere with the selecting of the other stations, since, as previously stated, the circuitbreakers are designed to transmit only three impulses or some multiple of three in accordance with thedifferent stations on the line.

Another circuit-closer is interposed in the signal-operating circuit and comprises a contact-pin s, adjustably threaded in the upper end of but insulated from an uprigl'it 76 on the support 44. The pin s is thus located in the position to make electrical contact with the arm 51 on the arn'iature 5() whenever the latter is moved toward the left, as shown in Fig. 7

Ollrcm'ts and ()jMNtZYTIHL ID Figs. 10, 11, and. 12 I have illustrated diagrammatically three stations, Nos. 1, 2, and 3, each provided with transmitting and selecting apparatus. As previously stated, the apparatus may be used with any desired arrangement of circuits; but I prefer to provide independent selector-operating and. telephone circuits. The operatingcircuit may be either normally closed or normally opened. The wiring for a normally closed operating-circuit is illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, in which figures, however, the circuit is shown in the condition when station No. 1 has just called station No. In Fig. 12 the wiring for a normally opened circuit is illustrated, but in this instance, as in Figs. 10 and 11, the circuit is shown in the condition when station No. 1 has just called station No. 3. In Fig. 10 the operating-magnets g are located in series and are normally closed, operating line 77, which maybe traced as follows: from battery 7 8 to the support-con.- tactsc and (10f the impulse-transmitter and to the operating-magnet of station No. 1, from thence to the contact a and (Z of the operatingmagnet of station No. 2 and then to the contacts of the impulse-transmitter and operating-magnet at station No. 3. From thence line-circuit 77 extends in a similar manner to the other stations on the line and back to battery 78 by the ground or by a metallic returnwire. WVith such an operating-circuit the position of stop 29 and the throw of stop 31 are so adjusted that in the normal or home position of the operating-shaft 16 the circuit-breaking disk 11/ will be held in the position shown in Fig. 2, with the spring-stop e engaging one of the notches and with the vibrating arm 6 resting on its periphery. In this position of the arm I; the contactsc and (I will be brought into engagement, as indicated in Fig. 2 and at stations Nos. 2 and 3 in Fig. 10, and the operating-circuit will be normally closed'that is, when none of the stations are calling-through the actuating-magnets g, so that normally, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5, 8 and by full lines in Fig. 9, the armature will be drawn up, the feed-pawl 52 and the detaining-pawl will be thrown out of engagement with the selecting-wheelf, the latter will be held in normal or home position by its spring 48,with the trip 0 normally holding the locking arm oz out of operation and the circuit through the signaling devices will be broken at contactpin The automatic switches are depressed in the well-known manner by the weight of the receivers and through the medium of connecting-rod and bell-crank 32 will hold the pin 31 into engagement with the hooked end of the arm 28, thus locking the transmittingshaft 16 and handle 22 in normal position. When a subscriber at any one station desires to call any other station, the operation will be as follows: In the diagrammatic Fig. 10, No. 1 is the calling station, No. 3 is the called station, and N o. 2 is an intermediate station. The receiver at calling stataion No. 1 is removed from its support, switch IL is depressed, connecting that station to the line, and bell-crank 32 is released and is moved by its spring 34. to disengage the lock-pin 31 from engagement with the hooked end of arm 28. The operating mechanism for the circuit-breaker at station No. 1 is thus released. The pin 26 will be placed in the hole 27 of the indicating-disk 23 opposite the number corresponding to the station to be called, in this instance station No. 3. The handle 22 will then be moved into engagement with the stop-pin 26 and released. As soon as the arm 28 is moved away from stop-pin 31 the latter, together with bellcrank 32, will be further moved by spring 34 into the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2 and by full lines at station No. 1 in Fig. 10. During the return movement of the operatingshaft the circuit-breaker will be operated to transmit the proper number of impulses to operate all of the selecting devices on the line through a predetermined distance. As previously described, the return movement of the operating-shaft 16 will be arrested by the engagement of the stop-arm 28 with the pin 31 just before it reaches its normal position,

as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2 and by full lines at station No. 1 in Fig. 10. By this means the circuit-breaking disk (I will also be arrested before it has completed its traverse and in such position that the vibrating armb will engage with one of the notches of the disk and the contact-springs 0 and (Z will be held open, thus breaking the operating-circuit at this point, so that the armature 50 of each of the operating-magnets ,r on the line will be released, as shown in Fig. 10. By thus arresting the movement of the circuitbreaker before it completes its traverse and so that the operating circuit is broken it will be impossible'for the conversation between calling-station No. 1 and called station No. 3 to be interrupted by the transmission of signals from any other station. At called station No. 3 the pin 0 of the selector will be in position to move the arm or signal-switch n into engagement with the springcontact 9, and the circuit through the automatic bell t or other suitable signaling device may then be traced as follows: from local battery 79 by wire to contacts 717 and m, by wire 81 to contact 9 through the arm a and the supportingframe to the armature 50, by contact 8 and wire 82 to the bell t, and by wire 8 1 back to the battery 7 9. The signal will then be operated until the automatic switch 7b is actuated by the removal of the receiver to connect the telephone at station No. 3 to line, which operation is rendered possible, since the upper end of the locking-arm '22 is moved out of the path of the pin 7 2 on the switch. At all other stations, however, as soon as the selectors are moved the arm n will be swung by gravity into an upright position out of engagement with the contact r and with its upper end in the pathv of the pin 7 2, as indicated at station N o. 2, thus locking the telephone-switch it and breaking the circuit through the signaling device. ,thus locking the switch it against movement the removal of locking-pin 31 from the hooked end of stop-arm 28 and the manipulation of the circuit-breaker will be prevented. During the transmission of the. succession of impulses over the operating-line the hit-and-miss governing device comprising the freely-vibrating arm 56 and the freely vibrating knocker 58 intermediate the arm 56 and the armature 50 will operate to hold the arm 56 in an elevated position, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 9, and the upright 57 will be forced by its spring into engagement with the stop 60, thus permitting the retaining-pawl 55 to engage with the teeth of selecting-wheel f. Similar governing devices have been heretofore used; but instead of a freely-vibrating part, as arm 56, some form of retarding device has been connected directly to the operating-arm. In such constructions it is necessary that the Vibrations of the armature of the actuating-magnet shall be maintained ata sufficient high rate of speed to hold the vibrating part out of operation. In my form of hitand-miss governor, comprising three vibrating parts, it is only necessary that the product of the vibrations of any two of them will not be divisible by the number of vibrations of the third in order that the arm 56 shall be effectively held out of operation. The speed ofvibration, thereforeior the actuating-armature 50 may be comparatively slow to operate the feed-pawl 52 with certainty and without skipping. By adjusting the arm 59 to and from the armature 50 the operation of the hitand-miss governor may be regulated to eflectually operate with any desired speed of vibration of the armature. As soon, however, as the transmission of impulses ceases and the armature 50 comes to rest in the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 9 the hooked end 59 ot' the arm will drop into engagement with the upper end of the armature. W' hen conversation is finished, the receiver at the called station will be replaced upon its hook, thus shifting the stop 31 through the medium of connecting-rod and bell-crank 32 to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2 and permitting the operating parts for the circuitbreaker to be returned completely to normal or home position by its actuating-spring 25 and to be again arrested with the arm 28 in contact with the stop 29. This movement of the operating-shaft 16 will advance the disk (4 one-haltatooth, and thereby move the arm 7/ to bring the contacts cand (1 into engagement and transmit an additional impulse. The circuit will thus be closed through all of the operatingmagnets the armatures will be drawn up, and the feed and retaining pawls 52 and will be thrown out of engagement with the selecting-wheelsf, 1 )er1nitting the latter to be returned to normal by the springs 18, with the trip-pins o in operative engagement with the arms a, as shown in Fig. 1. Atthe same time the springcontact 51 upon armature 50 is moved away from its contact A, and the signal-operating circuit at each station is broken at this point. The system will then be in condition for the transmission of any subsequent call over the line.

As previously stated, the telephone-circuits may be of any desired arrangement; but 1. prefer that the telephones at the different stations shall be arranged in normal open multiple arc branches, either legged from a single line to the ground or connected to two wires and 86 0f a metallic circuit, as shown in Fig. 10. Preferably, also, the local batteries 7 9 are arranged to be closed through the automatic signaling-bell and through the primary 01'' the transmitter by the operation of the au tomatic switches It. This arrangement of circuits is clearly indicated in Fig. 10, is of wellknown construction, and need not be more fully described,

In Fig. 11, in which the parts are shown in the position assumed when station No. 1 has just called station No. 8 I have illustrated a modified arrangement, in which the operating-circuit '77 is closed through a series of relay-magnets a. The operating-magnets g are located in normal open circuits energized from local batteries 87, and these circuits are controlled by the operation of the armatures 88 of the relay-magnets a. With this arrangement of the operating-circuit it is necessary that the throw of the stop-pin 31 and the position of the stop 29 shall be so adjusted that the movement or the circuit-l neaker will be arrested by the pin 31 in closed position and that the disk (1/ be moved forward through the space of one tooth when the stop 31 is removed. By this movement of the circuit-breaking wheel through the distance of one tooth the operating-circuit through the relaymagnets '11 will be momentarily opened and the local circuits through the actuating-magnets g closed to restore the selecting devices to normal. The operation is otherwise the same as previously described.

In the open-circuit arrangement (shown in Fig. 12, in which the parts are shown in position assumed after station 1 has just called station 3) the operating-magnets g are connected in series or in branches 89 between conductors 90 and 91, the wire 90 is connected at one end to the battery 78, and the wire 91 is provided with branches 92 at each station, either legged to the ground or to a common return-wire 93, in which branches the normally open make-and-break contacts 0 and (Z at each station are located. With this arrai'igement the throw of the stop-pin 31 and the position of the home stop 29 are so adjusted that the movement of the circuitbreaking disk will be arrested in position to close the contacts 0 and (Z (as at station 1) and so that the further movement of the disk when the stop-pin 31 is removed will open the contacts 0 and d and restore the line to normal condition. As indicated in Fig. 12, with an open circuit the magnets are located upon the opposite side of the pivots of armatures 50. The construction and operation in other respects is the same as that al ready described in connection with the closed operating-circuit. (Shown in Fig. 10.)

It is obvious that various other modifications in the arrangement of the operating and.

telephone circuits may be employed, that the improved selecting and transmitting apparatus may be used in other connections for various purposes, and that numerous changes may be made in the construction and operation 01" the parts by the skilled mechanic without departure from the essentials of the invention.

Having described my invention, what 1 claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a selective apparatus, the combination with a switch for the telephone-circuit and with a selecting device, of electrical means for variably moving said selecting device, a movable locking-arm for said switch and trips carried by said selecting device arranged to control said locking-arm.

2. In a selective apparatus for telephones, the combination with a switch for the telephone-circuit, of a movable lock for said switch and a'variably-movable selecting device having means arranged to engage said locl: and hold the same out of operation both in a normal position of said selecting device and after the movement thereof through a predetermined distance.

3. In a selective apparatus for telephones, the combination with an automatic switch for the telephone-circuit, of a pivoted lockingarm for said switch, a step-by-step selectingwheel having trip-pins arranged to hold said locking-arm out of operation, both in the normal position of said selecting-wheel and after the movement thereof to a predetermined position and means for variably actuating said selecting-wheel.-

1. In a selective apparatus for telephones, the combination with a switch for telephonecircuit, of .a lock for said switch, a step-bystep selecting device having trips arranged to hold said locking-arm out of operation, both in the normal position of said selecting device and after the movement thereof to a predetermined position, means for variably actuating said selecting device from its normal position and means for releasing the same to permit its return in the opposite direction to normal.

5. In a-selective apparatus, the combination with a step-bystep selecting device, of asignal, an actuating-switch therefor, and an abutment mounted on the selecting device arranged to actuate said switch after the movement of said selecting device to any one of a limited number of adjacent predetermined positions.

6. In a selective apparatus for telephones, the combination with a lock-out for the telephone-circuit, of a step-by-step selecting device arranged to shift said lock-out to an inoperative position after a movement to any one of a limited number of adjacent predetermined positions.

7. In a selective apparatus for telephones, the combination with an automatic switch for telephone-circuits and with an electric signal, of a lock for said switch and a step-by-step selecting device arranged to hold said lock in an inoperative position and to close the circuit through said signal after a movement to any one of a limited number of adjacent predetermined positions.

8. In a selective apparatus for telephones, the combination with an automatic switch for the telephone-circuits and with a signal, of a lock for said switch, a step-by-step selecting device arranged to control said lock and said signal and means for variably stepping said selecting device to different predetermined positions.

lecting device to different predetermined positions and trips carried by said selecting device arranged to release said lock and to actuate said signal.

10. In a selective apparatus for telephones, the combination with an automatic switch for the telephonecircuit, of a movable lock for said switch, a selecting device arranged to hold said lock out of operation both in its normal position and after the movement thereof to a predetermined position and a signal controlled by the movement of said lock.

11. In a selective apparatus for telephones, the combination with an automatic switch for the telephone-circuit and with an electric signal, of a movable arm constituting a lock for said telephone-switch and a controller for the signal-circuit, a step-by-step selecting device, trips carried thereby arranged to control said movable arm, and means for variably actuating said selecting device.

12. In a selective apparatus, the combination with a selecting device and with an impulse-transmitter for the selector-operating circuit, of a movable stop for holding said impulse-transmitter against movement, a movable lock controlled by said selecting device and mechanical controlling connections between said lock and said movable stop.

13. In a selective apparatus, the combination with a selecting device and with an impulse-transmitter for the selector-operating circuit, of a movable stop arranged to hold said impulse-transmitter against movement, a

lock, mechanical controlling connection between said lock and said movable stop and a trip carried by said selecting device arranged to normally hold said lock out of operation.

14. In a selective apparatus for telephones, the combination with a selecting device, an impulse-transmitter for theselector-operating circuit and with an automatic receiversupporting switch for the telephone-circuit, of a stop controlled by the movement of said switch arranged to hold said impulse-transmitter against operation and a lock for said switch controlled by said selecting device.

15. In a selective apparatus for telephones, the combination with a selecting device, an impulse-transmitter for the selectoroperat' ing circuit and with an automatic switch for the telephone-circuit, of an operating-handle for said impulse-transmitter, a movable stop connected to said switch arranged to hold said handle against movement, a lock for said switch and a trip carried by said selecting device arranged to normally hold said lock out of operation.

16. In a selective apparatus, the combination with an electric signal, of a circuit-closer f or the signal-circuit, a selecting device arranged to control said. signal-circuit closer, an operating-magnet for said selecting device, a second circuit-closer for the signal-circuit controlled by the armature of said magnet, a switch for the telephone-circuit and a third circuit-closer for the signal-circuit controlled by said telephone-switch.

17. In a selective apparatus for telephones, the combination with an automatic switch for the telephone-circuit and with an elect ic signal, of a combined lock for the automatic switch and circuit-closer for the signal-circuit, a selecting device having trips arranged to actuate said combined loclc and circuit closer both in the normal position of said selecting device and after the movement thereof to a predetermined position, an operating-magnet for said selecting device and a second signal-circuit closer controlled by the armature of said magnet.

18. In a selective apparatus, the combina tion with a selector and with an actuatingmag net therefor, of a step-by-step device operated by said magnet in response to a succession of uniform electrical impulses for advancing said selector in one direction, a retractor for returning saidselectorin the opposite direction to normal, means operated directly by the armature of said magnet for tripping said retractor into operation and means for holding said trip out of operation during and at the end of the succession of electrical impulses.

'19. In a selective apparatus, the combination with a selector having a series of uniform ratchet-teeth and with an operating-magnet therefor, of a feed-1' awl actuated by the armature of said magnet in response to a succession of uniform electrical impulses for advancing said selector step by step in one direction, a retaining-pawl for said selector, a trip for said retaining-pawl, means controlled by said operating-magnet arranged to hold said trip out of operation during and at the end of the succession of electrical impulses and operate the same in response to asingle additional impulse, and a retractor for return ing said selector in the opposite direction to normal.

20. In a selective signaling apparatus, the combination with a selector having aseries of uniform ratchet-teeth and with an operating magnet therefor, of a step-by-step device operated by said magnet in response to a succession of uniform electrical impulses, a releasing-trip for said selector, means for coupling said releasing-trip directly to the armature of said magnet and means for holding said coupler out of operation during the successive vibrations of the armature of said magnet.

21. In a selective apparatus, the combination with a selector, of propelling devices for advancing said selector from its normal posi tion, governor-controlled means arranged to return the same thereto comprising a freelyvibrating arm and means actuated by the operation of said propelling devices for holding said freely-vibrating arm out of operation.

22. In a selective apparatus, the combination with a selector, of an operating-magnet therefor arranged to advance said selector from its normal position, governor-controlled means for returning the same thereto comprisinga freely-vibrating arm and means operated by the successive vibrations of the armature of said magnet for holding said freely vibrating arm out of operation.

23. In a selective apparatus, the combination with a selector, of an actuating-magnet for advancing said selector from its normal position, means for returning the same thereto, and a governor for controlling said means comprising a freely vibrating arm and a freely-vibrating knocker actuated by the armature of said magnet.

24:. In a selective apparatus, the combination with a step-by-step selector and with an actuatinganagnet therefor, of means operated by said magnet for advancing said selector in one direction, means for releasing said selector to permit it to return to the opposite direction to normal and a governor for controlling said means comprising a freelyvibrating arm and means for holding said arm out of operation during the successive vibrations of the armature of said magnet.

25. In a selective apparatus, the combination with a selector, of a propelling-magnet for advancing said selector in one direction, a release-trip for said selector, a coupler for connecting said release-trip directly to the armature of said magnet comprising a vibrating arm, means for holding said vibrating arm out of operation during the successive vibrations of said armature and a retractor for said selector.

26. In a selective apparatus, the combination with a selector, of a propelling-magnet for advancing said selector in one direction and governor-controlled meansfor effecting the return of said selector in the opposite direction to normal comprising an arm shiftable in different paths at an angle to each other, the armature of said magnet being arranged by successive movements to vibrate said arm in one path to hold it out of operation and by a single vibration to shift said arm in the other path to effect the return of said selector.

27. In a selective apparatus, the combination with a selector, of a propelling-magnet for advancing said selector in one direction, devices for effecting the return of said selector in the opposite direction to normal, a vibrating arm normally coupling said returneffecting devices directly to the armature of said magnet and means for holding said vibrating arm out of operation during the successive Vibrations of said armature.

7 28. In a selective apparatus, the combination with a selector, of a propelling-magnet for ad vancing said selector in one direction, means for effecting the return of said selector in the opposite direction to normal and a coupler arranged to normally connect said return-effecting devices directly to the armature of said magnet, said armature being arranged to hold said coupling devices out of operation during its successive vibrations and to operate said return-effecting devices through the medium of said coupler by a single additional movement. 7

29. In a selective apparatus, the combination with a selector, of a propelling-magnet for advancing said selector in one direction, means for effecting the return of said selector in the opposite direction to normal comprising a movable part and a vibrating arm pivoted to said movable part and arranged to couple said part to the armature of said magnet and means for holding said couplingarm out of operation during the successive vibrations of said armature.

30. In a selective apparatus, the combination with a selector, of a propelling-magnet for advancing said selector in one direction, means for effecting the return of said selector in the opposite direction to normal comprising a pivoted spring-held part and a vibrating governor arm pivoted to said part and arranged to couple the latter directly to the armature of said magnet and means for holding said coupling-arm out of operation during the successive vibrations of said armature.

31. In a selective apparatus, the combination with a selector, of a propelling-magnet for advancing said selector in one direction, a retaining-pawl for said selector, a trip for said retaining-pawl, a movable part connected to said retaining-pawl, a vibrating arm pivoted to said movable part and arranged to,

couple the latter directly to the armature of said magnet, means for holding said couplingarm out of operation during the successive vibrations of said armature and a retractor for said selector.

32. In a selective apparatus, the combination with a selector, of a propelling-magnet for advancing said selector in one direction and governor-controlled means arranged to effect the return of said selector in the opposite direction to normal comprising a vibrating actuating-arm arranged to engage the armature of said magnet and be operated by a single movement thereof and a vibrating knocker intermediate said armature and said vibrating arm for holding the latter out of operation during the successive vibrations of said armature.

33. In a selective apparatus, the combination with a selector, of a propelling-magnet for advancing said selector in one direction in response to a succession of electrical impulses, of governor-controlled means for effooting the return of said selector in the opposite direction to normal comprising amovable part,.a freely-vibrating arm pivoted to said movable part and arranged to couple the latter to the armature of said magnet, and a freely-vibrating knocker intermediate said armaturevand said vibrating arm for holding the latter out of operation during the successive vibrations of said armature.

34. In a selective apparatus, the combination with a selector, of a propelling-magnet for advancing said selector in one direction, governor-controlled means for releasing said selector to permit it to return in the opposite direction to normal comprising a freely-vibrating arm arranged to couple said release directly to the armature of said magnet and a freely-vibrating knocker intermediate said armature and said vibrating arm for holding the latter out of operation during the successive vibrations of said armature and a retractor for said selector.

35. In a selective apparatus, the combinationwith a step-by-step selector havingratchetteeth, of a propelling-magnet there for, a feedpropelled impulse-transmitter for said circuit,

means for variably actuating said impulsetransmitter, means for arresting the operation of said impulse-transmitter an invariable predetermined distance before and at the end of its traverse, whereby a succession of electrical impulses may be followed by an additional impulse, means acting in response to the succession of impulses for variably actuating said selector from normal position and means acting in response to the additional impulse for effecting the return of said selector to normal.

37. The combination with a selector and with an operating-circuit therefor, of a powerpropelled impulse-transmitter for said circuit,

means for variably actuating said impulsetransmitter, stop devices automatically acting to arrest the operation of said impulse-transmitter an invariable predetermined distance before and at the end of its traverse, whereby a succession of impulses is followed by an additionalimpulse, an actuating-magnet for said selector, means operated by said magnet in response to a succession of impulses for moving said selector in one direction and means operated in response to an additional impulse iIo 1 it'll for effecting the return in the opposite direction to normal.

38. The combination with a selector and with an operating-circuit therefor, of an impulse-transmitter for said circuit, a reciproeating part, power-driven and arranged to operate said impulse-transmitter during its return movement, means for variably determining the forward movement of said part, means for arresting the return movement of said part, an invariable predetermined distance in advance of and at its normal position, whereby a succession of impulses is followed by an additional impulse, means acting in response to the succession of. impulses for variably actuating said selector from normal and means acting in response to the additional impulse for effecting its return to normal.

I 39. In selective systems for telephones, the combination with a selector and with an operating-circuit therefor, of an impulse-transmitter for the selector-operating circuit, an automatic switch for the telephone-circuit, means controlled by the movement of said switch for automatically arresting the movement of said impulse-transmitter an invariable predetermined distance in advance to the end of its traverse, whereby a succession of impulses may be followed by an additional impulse, means acting in response to a succession of impulses for variably actuating said selector from its normal position and means acting in response to the additional impulse for effecting its return to normal.

40. The combination with a selector and with an operating-circuit therefor, of an impulse-transmitter for the selector operating circuit, means for automatically arresting the movement of said impulse-transmitter at different points and in opposite electrical conditions, of a selector-operating magnet in said circuit the armature of which is correspondingly arrested in opposite electrical conditions and devices operated by said armature for effecting the variable movement of said selector from its normal position and for effecting its return thereto.

4:1. In a selective system for telephones, the combination with a selector and with an operating-circuit therefor, of an impulse-transmitter, an automatic switch for the telephonecircuit, means for variably actuating said im pulse-transmitter, a shiftable stop controlled by the movement of said switch arranged automatically to arrest the operation of said impulse-transmitter before it has completed its traverse, whereby a succession of impulses may be followed by an additional impulse, an actuating-magnet for said selector, means operated by said magnet and acting in response to a succession of impulses for variably actuating said selector in one direction, means actuated by said magnet in response to the additional impulse for releasing said selector to permit its return in the opposite direction to normal and a retractor for said selector.

42. In a selective system for telephones, a telephone having an automatic switch, a selector and an impulse-transmitter for the selector-operating circuit at each of the stations, means for variably actuating said impulsetransmitters, a stop connected to each of the telephone-switches for automatically arresting the movement of said impulse-transmitters in advance of the end of their traverse, whereby the succession of impulses may be followed by an additional impulse, an electromagnet at each station for propelling the selectors in one direction from normal position in response to a succession of impulses and governor-controlled means actuated by the armature of said magnet at each station for effecting the return of said selectors to normal in response to the additional impulse.

43. In a selective system for telephones, the combination with the telephone-circuit and with a selector, of an impulse-transmitter for the selector operating circuit arranged to transmit a variable number of electrical impulses and an additional impulse, means acting in response to a succession of impulses for variably moving said selector in one direction from normal, means acting in response to the additional impulse to permit its return in the opposite direction to normal, a retractor for said selector and a lock-out for the telephonecircuit controlled by said selector.

44:. A selective apparatus for telephones, the combination with a switch for the telephone-circuit, with a step-by-step selecting device" and an operating-circuit therefor, of an impulse-transmitter for said selector-operating circuit, means for variably actuating said impulse-transmitter, means automatically operating to arrest the movement of said impulse-transmitter before and at the end of its traverse, whereby a succession of impulses is followed by an additional impulse, a magnet acting in response to said succession of impulses for variably actuating said. selecting device from its normal position, means actuated by said magnet for releasing said selector to permit its return in the opposite direction to normal, a retractor for said selector, a loclr for said telephone-switch and trips carried by said selecting device arranged to hold said lock out of operation, both in the normal position of said selectingdevice and after the movement thereof to a predetermined position.

45. In selective systems, the combination with a selector and with an operating-circuit therefor, of an impulse-transmitter for said circuit, means for variably actuating said impulse-transmitter, means automatically operating to arrest the movement of said impulsetransmitter an invariable predetermined distance in advance of and at the end of its travorse, whereby a succession of impulses is followed by an additional impulse, an actuatingmagnet for said selector, means operated by said magnet in response to the succession of impulses for variably actuating said selector in one direction from normal, governor-controlled means actuated by said magnet for effecting the return of said selector in the opposite direction to normal and a signal controlled by the movement of said selector.

46. In selective systems, the combination with a selector and with an impulse-transmitter for the selector-operating circuit at each station, of means for variably actuating each impulse-transmitter, means for arresting the operation of each transmitter both before and at the end of its traverse, whereby a succession of impulses is followed by an additional impulse, means at each station acting in response to a succession of impulses for variably actuating said selecting devices in response to the succession of impulses, means acting in response to the additional impulse for effecting the return of said selecting devices to normal and means at each station controlled by the movement of the selecting device for preventing the initial movement of the impulsetransmitter when the line is in use.

47. In a selective apparatus, the combination with a selector, an actuating-magnet therefor and an operating-circuit, of an impulse-transmitter for the selector-operating circuit, means for variably actuating said impulse-transmitter, means for arresting the operation of the impulse-transmitter before and at the end of its traverse, whereby a succession of impulses may be followed by an additional impulse, a step-by-step device actuated by said magnet in response to the succession of impulses for advancing said selector in one direction, a retractor for returning said selector in the opposite direction to normal, means operated directly by the armature of said magnet in response to the additional impulse for tripping said retractor into operation and means for holding said trip out of operation during and at the end of the succession of impulses.

48. In a selective apparatus, the combination with a selector having a series of uniform ratchet-teeth, an actuating-magnet therefor and an operating-circuit, of an impulse-transmitter for the selectoroperating circuit, means for variably actuating the impulsetransmitter, means for arresting the impulsetransmitter both before and at the end of its traverse whereby a succession of uniform impulses is followed by an additional impulse, a feed-pawl actuated by the armature of said magnet in response to the succession of impulses for advancing said selector step by step in one direction, a retaining-pawl for said selector, a trip for said retaining-pawl, means operating to hold said trip out of operation during and at the end of the succession of electrical impulses and for actuatingsaid trip in response to the additional impulse and a retractor for returning said selector in the opposite direction to normal.

49. In selective systems, the combination with a selector having a series of uniform ratchet-teeth, an actuating-magnet therefor and an operating-circuit, of an impulse-transmitter for said circuit, means for variably actuating said impulse-transmitter, means for arresting the movement of the latter both before and at the end of its traverse, whereby a series of uniform impulses is followed by an additional impulse, a step-by-step device actuated by said magnet in response to the succession of impulses for variably actuating saidv selector in one direction, a releasing-trip for said selector. means for coupling said releasing-trip directly to the armature of said magnet and means actuated by the armature of said magnet during the succession of impulses for holding said coupler out of operation, said magnet being arranged to actuate said release-trip through the medium of said coupler in response to the additional impulse.

50. In selective systems, the combination with a selector, of an operat1ng-c1rcu1t therefor, an impulse-transmitter for said circuit arranged to transmit a succession of impulses followed by an additional impulse, propelling devices acting in response to a succession of impulses for advancing said selector from its normal position, governor-controlled means acting in response to the additional impulse for eifecting the return of the selector to normal, said governor meanscomprising afreelyvibrating arm and means actuated by the operation of said propelling devices for holding said freely-vibrating arm out of operation.

51. In selective systems, the combination with said selector and with an operating-circuit therefor, of an impulse-transmitter for said circuit, means for variably actuating said impulse-transmitter, means for arresting the operation of the latter both before and at the end of its traverse whereby a succession of impulses is followed-by an additional impulse, an actuating-magnet for saidselector acting in response to thesuccession of impulses for advancing said selector from normal position, means acting in response to the additional impulse for returning said selector to normal, and a governor for controlling said return-efiecting means comprising a freely-vibrating arm and a freely-vibrating knocker interposed between said arm and the armature of said magnet.

52. In selective systems, the combination with a selector and with an operating-circuit therefor, of an impulse-transmitter for said circuit, means for variably actuating said im- Ioo pulse-transmitter, means for arresting the response to the succession of impulses for advancing said selector in one direction and governor-controlled means for effecting the return of said selector in the opposite direction to normal comprising an arm shiftable in different directions, the armature of said magnet being arranged to vibrate said arm in one direction during the successionof impulses to hold it out of operation and to shift said arm in another direction in response to the additional impulse to effect the return of said selector.

In selective systems, the combination with a selector and an operating-circuit therefor, of an impulse-transmitter for said circuit, means for variably actuating said im- 1mlse-transmitter, means for arresting its operation both before and at the end of its traverse, whereby a succession of impulses is followed by an additional impulse, a propellingmagnet for advancing said selector in one direction in response to the succession of impulses, devices for effecting the return of said selector in the opposite direction to normal, a vibrating arm normally coupling said return-effecting devices directly to the armature of said magnet and arranged to be operated by a single vibration thereof and means for holding said vibrating arm out of operation during the succession of impulses.

5a. In a selective apparatus, the combination with a step-by-step selector and with an operating-circuit therefor, of power-propelled impulse-transmitter for the operating-circuit, means for variably actuating said impulsetransmitter, stop devices arranged to automatically arrest the operation of said transmitter both before and at the end of its traverse whereby a succession of impulses may be followed by an additional impulse, an actuating-magnet operating in response to the succession of impulses for operating said selector step by step in one direction, devices for effecting the return of said selector in the opposite direction to normal, a governor for controlling said return-effecting devices comprising a vibrating arm arranged to normally couple said returneifecting devices directly to the armature of said magnet and be operated by a single vibration thereof and means operated by the armature of said magnet for holding said coupling-arm out of operation during the succes' sive vibrations thereof.

55. In a selective system for telephones, a telephone having an automatic switch, a selector and an impulse-transmitter for the selectoropcrating circuit at each of the stations, means acting in response to a succession of electrical impulses transmitted by any of the impulsetransmitters over the operating-circuit to actuate said selecting devices and means controlled by the telephone-switches for transmitting an additional impulse over the operating-circuit to return the selecting devices to normal position.

56, In a selective system for telephones, a telephone having an automatic switch, a selector and an impulse-transmitter for the selec tor-operating circuit at each of the stations, means actuated by the telephone-switch for controlling the movement of the impulsetransmitters whereby a succession of electrical impulses followed by an additional impulse may be transmitted over the selector-operating circuit, means acting in response to the succession of impulses for moving the selecting devices from the normal position and means acting in response to the additional impulse for releasing the same to permit their return in the opposite direction to normal.

57. In a selective system for telephones, a telephone having an actuating-switch, a selector and an impulse-transmitter for the selector-operating circuit at each of the stations, means for variably actuating said impulsetransmitters, shiftable stops controlled by the movement of the telephone-switch at each station for arresting the movement of the impulse-transmitter at such station in advance of the end of its traverse, whereby a succession of impulses, followed by an additional impulse, may be transmitted over the selectoroperating circuit, an electromagnet at each station for said selectors acting in response to the succession of impulses for variably moving said selectors in one direction, governorcontrolled means at each station directly operated by the armatures of said magnets for effecting the return of said selectors in the opposite direction to normal in response to the additional impulse and devices actuated by the armatures of said magnets for holding the governors out of operation during the succession of impulses.

58. In a selective system for telephones, a telephone having an automatic switch, a selector and an impulse-transmitter for the selector-operating circuit at each of the stations. means for variably actuating said impulse transmitters, stop devices controlled by the movement of said telephone-switches for arresting the operation of said impulse-transmitters in advance to the end of their traverse whereby a succession of impulses, followed by an additional impulse, maybe transmitted over the selector-operating circuit, a propelling-magnet at each station acting in response to the succession of impulses for variably actuating said selectors in one direction, devices for effecting the return of said selector in the opposite direction to normal, a vibrating governor-arm at each station arranged to normally couple said return-effecting device directly to the armatures of said actuatingmagnets and be operated in response to the additional impulse and means actuated by the armature of said magnet for holding said coupling governor-arm out of operation during the succession of impulses.

59. In selective systems for telephones, the

combination with selectors and automatic switches for the telephone-circuit at difl erent stations, of a lock for each switch, trips carried by each selector for holding said lock out of operation both in the normal position and after the movement of said selector to a predetermined point, an operatingcircuit for said selectors, an impulse-transmitter for said circuit and means operating in response to a succession of impulses transmitted by said impulse-transmitter for variably actuating each of said selectors.

60. In selective systems for telephones, the combination with an automatic switch for the telephone-circuit and a signal at different stations, of variably-movable step-by-step selectors located at each of said stations, an operating-circuit therefor, an impulse-transmitter for said circuit, a lock for each of the telephone-switches and means actuated by the variable movement of said selectors in response to impulses transmitted by said impulse-transmitter for controlling said lock and said signal.

61. In selective systems for telephones, the combination with an automatic switch for the telephone-circuit and with an electrical signal at diflerent stations, of a selector at each of said stations, a selector-operating circuit, an impulse-transmitter for said circuit, a lock for each of said switches, means for actuating said selector in response to impulses transmitted by said impulse-transmitter and a trip controlled by said selector for throwing said lock out of operation and for closing the circuit through said signal after the movement of said selector to a predetermined distance.

62. In selective systems, the combination with a selector at each of a number of different stations, of an operating-circuit for said selectors, an impulse-transmitter for said circuit at each of said stations, means for actuating said selectors in response to electrical impulses transmitted by any one of said impulse-transmitters and mechanical connections between the selector and impulse-transmitter at each of said stations arranged to prevent the initial operation of said impulse-transmitter when the line is in use.

63. In selective systems, the combination with a telephone-switch and a selector at each of a number of difierent stations, of an operating-circuit for said selectors, an impulsetransmitter for said circuit at each of said stations, means for actuating said selectors in response to impulses transmitted by any one of said impulse-transmitters, a shiftable locking-stop for the impulse-transmitter controlled by the telephone-switch at each of said stations and means controlled by the selector at each station for preventing the removal of said stop when the line is in use.

64. In selective systems for telephones, the combination with an automatic switch for telephone-circuits and a selecting device at each of the number of different stations, of an operating-circuit for said selecting devices an impulse-transmitter for said circuit at each of said stations, stops controlled by the movement of said switches for normally holding said impulse-transmitters out of operation, means for actuating said selectors in response to impulses transmitted by any one of said impulse-transmitters and locks for said telephone-switches controlled by the movement of said selectors.

65. In a selective system for telephones, the combination withseveral telephone stations provided with telephones arranged upon a single line, of aselector-operating line having in its circuit a variably-movable step-by-step selecting instrument at each of the stations and an impulse-transmitter arranged to impart a definite number of impulses in accordance with the station to be called, telephoneswitches for connecting each of the telephones to line and means controlled by the variable movement of said selecting instruments for locking the telephone-switches.

66. In a selective system for telephones, the combination with several stations provided with telephones arranged upon a single line, of a selector-operating line having in its circuit a variably-movable step-by-step selective instrument at each of the stations, an impulsetransmitter for the selector-line arranged to impart thereto a definite number of impulses in accordance with the station to be called, automatic switches for connecting individual telephones to the line-circuit and means for operating the selecting instruments acting in response to the succession of impulses transmitted to call any of the stations and to lock the telephone-switches at the remaining stations.

67 In selective systems for telephones, the combination with two or more telephone-stations provided with telephones arranged upon a single line, of an independentselector-operating line having in its circuit a selecting instrument and an impulse-transmitter at each of the stations and means operated by the selecting instruments acting in response to a succession of impulses transmitted by any of the impulse-transmitters, to call one of the stations and to prevent the completion of the telephone-circuit at the other stations.

68. In selective systems for telephones, the combination with two or more telephone-stations provided with telephones arranged upon a single line, of an independent selector-operating line, a step-by-step selector and an automatically-acting transmitter at each of the stations, means acting in response to asuccession of impulses transmitted by any of said impulse-transmitters to variably actuate said selector step by step, a call at each of said stations actuated by the selector at said station when moved to a predetermined point and a lookout at each of said stations controlled di- 

